Instructions

ZOOM IN by clicking on the page. A slider will appear, allowing you to adjust your zoom level. Return to the original size by clicking on the page again.

MOVE the page around when zoomed in by dragging it.

ADJUST the zoom using the slider on the top right.

ZOOM OUT by clicking on the zoomed-in page.

SEARCH by entering text in the search field and click on "In This Issue" or "All Issues" to search the current issue or the archive of back issues
respectively.
.

PRINT by clicking on thumbnails to select pages, and then press the
print button.

SHARE this publication and page.

ROTATE PAGE allows you to turn pages 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.Click on the page to return to the original orientation. To zoom in on a rotated page, return the page to its original orientation, zoom in, and
then rotate it again.

CONTENTS displays a table of sections with thumbnails and descriptions.

ALL PAGES displays thumbnails of every page in the issue. Click on
a page to jump.

www.spec.com.au Farm and Fishing Focus Tips for buying the right bull DARREN HICKEY DEDJTR BAIRNSDALE BULLS are one of the most important investments you make in your beef breeding operation. Give this decision your full attention as the new bull’s genes will impact on your herd and your business for years to come. Bulls have an influence on: * Your beef enterprise’s profitability through the number of calves born and how efficiently they reach market specs; * Ease of calving, especially if used over heifers; * Overall improvement in your herd’s production trends; and * Quality and quantity of females retained as replacements. The average working life of a bull in Australia is less than three years so it pays to ensure you are buying a quality animal that will go the distance. Know your breeding and production objectives before you go shopping. Have a clear idea of the traits in your herd and of what you are aiming to improve. The main things to look for when shopping for a bull are: Structural soundness – feet, legs, hips, stifles, and how well he moves. Sound reproductive organs without deviations, injuries or lesions. If you have concerns over the soundness of a bull, move on to the next one. Fertility – scrotal circumference is the best indicator for testicle size and testicle size is directly and positively related to sperm production. The minimum scrotal circumference for an 18-month-old bull is 320mm, or 340mm for a 24-month-old bull. Temperament – ask the breeder about how sale bulls are handled from birth and pay close attention to the bull’s behaviour in the pen. If possible ask to look at the dam of the bull as this will give you an idea of the conformation and longevity of the resulting cows which will be coming into your herd. Vaccination records – check that they cover clostridial diseases and leptospirosis (seven in one). What is the ideal frame size, degree of muscling and fat cover to suit your marketing objectives, production requirements and environment? Genetic merit for important production traits – ask for and use (Estimated Breeding Values) EBVs and Selection Indexes if available. These are predictors of genetic merit for a range of commercially important production traits and can be used to compare animals within the same breed. Take a hard copy of the EBV percentile band page from the breed society’s Group Breedplan sire summary with you to the sale so you know where the animal’s EBVs rate for the breed. They are available from the breed society’s website. Look at EBVs other than just birth weight, consider the whole genetic package. Single trait selection could have detrimental outcomes for your herd. Every bull has a purpose; some bulls are suited to vealer production, others to feedlot steers, breeding females or bullock production so the bull that does not suit someone else may well suit your needs perfectly. If you are in the market for a trait leading bull, in terms of EBVs, you will probably be expected to pay a premium. Continued: PAGE 8 PORTLAND OBSERVER Monday March 2 2015 5 Something for everyone at WWR From: PAGE 1 A mix of young children, teens and adults, the troupe performed exceedingly ancient dances that evoked fire, the lyre bird and the creator spirit Bunjil, sometimes mixing with the audience in swooping, darting motions. Performance over, the ovation they got was warm and heartfelt. Another performance getting rave reviews was Mental As Anything, who played their hits for an evening crowd estimated by coordinator Ross Barclay at around 2500. “Before they went on, we had a couple of big rain showers at around 6pm that upset From: PAGE 1 A Budj Bim float brought us young Indigenous dancers keeping time with sticks, then it was Heywood Community Bank’s turn, their float featuring a live piggy bank. The anglers had their very own mermaid, and the Highland Dancing Association featured a fearsome Celt who Clarification A STORY in Friday’s edition of the Portland Observer titled RSL, bowling club enter new agreement, stated that Peter Malcolm is the Portland RSL Memorial Bowling Club president. Mr Malcolm is, in fact, the chairman club’s board. of the Boats, “We’ve got you covered” Bar Stools and Chairs, Car, Motorbike or Truck Trimming/ Seats and Hood Windscreen Repairs Save Time And Money With Harry... ANDERSON MOTOR TRIMMERS 16 Beverley Street, Portland - 0429 382 667 Opposite Portland Plumbing & Gasfitting BULLS . . . a most important investment. Opinion From: PAGE 4 Peter was instrumental in introducing the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund under the Coalition Government which meant regional communities were getting more support to create jobs and new industries; more money being spent to fix local roads and bridges; and greater investment that improved local facilities like local main streets, community centres and sport and recreation grounds. Peter was also the key driver in securing $22 million which saved SPC Ardmona and protected jobs in the Goulburn Valley; he led the introduction of Victoria’s moratorium on coal seam gas fracking to make sure 140701ah023 Preference will be given to typewritten or emailed letters of not more than 400 words, and SMS messages. The Portland Observer reserves the right to edit or not publish any letter or text. No anonymous letters or texts will be published. All correspondence must contain the writer’s full name (for publication), residential address (not for publication) and telephone number (not for publication). Send letters to PO Box 431, Portland VIC 3305; fax to 5523 4765; or e-mail to news@observer.net.au. SMS to 0427 383 088 landowners and our land and water assets are protected; he helped shut down Labor’s north-south pipeline. There is no doubt that Peter has made a significant impact on his electorate and our state. On behalf of The Nationals, I thank Peter for his loyal service, and I wish him and his family all the very best for their future. The Nationals’ promise to the people of Gippsland South, and to all of regional Victoria, is that we will continue to stand up for you and your communities and be the strong voice you need in the Victorian Parliament. PETER WALSH Leader of The Victorian Nationals Paamper amper Yrmpereamper Yourself & Look Y Shop 18 Pioneer Plaza Phone 5523 5486 urself & Look Y ng rself & Look Younger rself & Look Yoounge Day’s Electrical Contracting has joined Laser Electrical Laser Electrical Portland REC No. 20439 Ph 03 5521 7525 Ph: (03) 5523 4636 OR 0418 527 093 portland@laserelectrical.com.au 19 Henty St, Portland www.skinfi tness.com.au Variety of Colours available Gel or Shellac Alters colour in front of your eyes Mood Polish Linings and more Mood Gel Polish New the apple cart a bit,” Mr Barclay said. “But the crowd returned and loved Mental As Anything.” He said people came from as far afield as Perth and Tasmania for the annual event. “It’s become the biggest thing in this corner of our state,” he said. “People who used to live in Heywood returned this year and said how our little town is rockin’ on. The crowd was very well-behaved with no problems at all. “Thanks to all the effort by our sponsors and the great committee we have, the festival seemed to please everyone. I reckon it’s just as important as a cruise ship visit.” Stunning parade launches WWR might have been Mel Gibson, but probably wasn’t. Folks opposed to fracking our farmland got a huge cheer, especially for the sign that read “Thou Shale Not Frack.” Archers, cadets and a sleek Chevy Corvette passed by the review stand, then some more really big trucks and it was all over for another year. Coloured prints of published and unpublished pictures taken by Portland Observer photographers are available for non commercial use, in various sizes and prices: PHOTO SALES A6 (10x15cms) .........$9 A4 (20.5x31cms) ....$21 A5 (15x20cms) ....$13 A3 (28x40cms) ....$35 Poster (50x75cms) ....$63.90 Photo orders will not be completed until payment is received. Payment may be made by cash, EFTPOS, credit card, cheque, money order or direct debit. 47 Percy St Portland 5522 3000 admin@observer.net.au OCF20285323 OCF0248616 OCC10250723 OCC19259223 Same great team, new packaging!